Growing Network of Radar Systems Monitors Ocean Surface Currents

Direction-finding SeaSonde (4.463 MHz; 5.2625 MHz) and phased-array WEllen RAdar WERA (9.33 MHz; 13.5 MHz) High-frequency radar (HFR) systems are routinely operated in Australia for scientific research, operational modeling, coastal monitoring, fisheries, and other applications. Coverage of WERA and SeaSonde HFRs in Western Australia overlap. Comparisons with subsurface currents show that both HFR types agree well with current meter records. Correlation (R), root-mean-squares differences (RMSDs), and mean bias (bias) for hourly-averaged radial currents range between R = (−0.03, 0.78), RMSD = (9.2, 30.3) cm/s, and bias = (−5.2, 5.2) cm/s for WERAs; and R = (0.1, 0.76), RMSD = (17.4, 33.6) cm/s, bias = (0.03, 0.36) cm/s for SeaSonde HFRs. Pointing errors (θ) are in the range θ = (1°, 21°) for SeaSonde HFRs, and θ = (3°, 8°) for WERA HFRs. For WERA HFR current components, comparison metrics are RU = (−0.12, 0.86), RMSDU = (12.3, 15.7) cm/s, biasU = (−5.1, −0.5) cm/s; and, RV = (0.61, 0.86), RMSDV = (15.4, 21.1) cm/s, and biasV = (−0.5, 9.6) cm/s for the zonal (u) and the meridional (v) components. Magnitude and phase angle for the vector correlation are ρ = (0.58, 0.86), φ = (−10°, 28°). Good match was found in a direct comparison of SeaSonde and WERA HFR currents in their overlap (ρ = (0.19, 0.59), φ = (−4°, +54°)). Comparison metrics at the mooring slightly decrease when SeaSonde HFR radials are combined with WERA HFR: scalar (vector) correlations for RU, V, (ρ) are in the range RU = (−0.20, 0.83), RV = (0.39, 0.79), ρ = (0.47, 0.72). When directly compared over the same grid, however, vectors from WERA HFR radials and vectors from merged SeaSonde–WERA show RU (RV) exceeding 0.9 (0.7) within the HFR grid. Despite the intrinsic differences between the two types of radars used here, findings show that different HFR genres can be successfully merged, thus increasing current mapping capability of the existing HFR networks, and minimising operational downtime, however at a likely cost of slightly decreased data quality.

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Complex EOF analysis of ocean surface currents response to the severe tropical storm Lionrock measured with high frequency surface wave radar

OCEANS 2014 - TAIPEI ◽

10.1109/oceans-taipei.2014.6964587 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Shen Zhi-ben ◽

Wu Xiong-bin ◽

Chen Xiao-feng ◽

Xu Xing-an

Keyword(s):

Surface Wave ◽

High Frequency ◽

Ocean Surface ◽

Tropical Storm ◽

Surface Currents ◽

Eof Analysis ◽

Wave Radar ◽

Ocean Surface Currents ◽

Complex Eof

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A National Coastal Ocean Surface Current Mapping System for the United States

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/002533204787522839 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 102-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Jeffrey D. Paduan ◽

P. Michael Kosro ◽

Scott M. Glenn

Keyword(s):

High Frequency ◽

Surface Current ◽

Ocean Surface ◽

The United States ◽

Hf Radar ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Radar Systems ◽

Mapping System ◽

Ocean Surface Currents ◽

Ocean Surface Current

A description is given for a nation-wide surface current mapping system for the U.S. continental shelf regions based on the emerging capabilities of high frequency (HF) radar backscatter instruments. These HF radar systems have the advantages of being real-time, non-invasive, shore-based instruments capable of mapping ocean surface currents out to ranges of ∼200 km from shore. A framework for a national backbone system is described based on long-range HF radar systems and example results are provided from existing arrays off the northwest and northeast U.S. coastlines.

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Measurement of ocean surface currents using a long-range, high-frequency ground wave radar

IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering ◽

10.1109/48.338381 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 549-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

K.J. Hickey ◽

E.W. Gill ◽

J.A. Helbig ◽

J. Walsh

Keyword(s):

Long Range ◽

High Frequency ◽

Ocean Surface ◽

Surface Currents ◽

Wave Radar ◽

Ocean Surface Currents ◽

Ground Wave

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